The benefit of personalised home pages

Jonathan Bowers, August 20th 2008, 5:27PM

One of the biggest advantages of the internet over other media is its ability to offer a flexible, personalised service. Web surfers already have the option to filter the content of a website, choose what email alerts to receive and even save certain website interactions for later referral.

Now, more and more website administrators are offering personalised landing pages to users as the next level to this phenomenon. The most high profile example of this is the BBC which allows visitors to extensively customise their very own home page. They can chose what aspects of the BBC home page appear when they arrive, what orientation it appears in and they can even assign the background colours.

Other sites go a step further. For example the UK version of the NFL website asks for a few personal details so that it can offer a personal greeting to visitors. ‘Welcome Jonny’ certainly feels like personal service. Nfluk.com also allows the user to input their favourite team so that the news section can be refocused from general sport wide news, to news related solely to that team.

The attraction of this strategy to the sports industry is clear. Sports fans have already established allegiances and a website that has the flexibility to cater to these allegiances and effectively ‘decorate’ its home page with the fans’ team colours is certainly at an advantage.

So why are website increasingly going down this personalised route and how easy is it to do?

Personalising allows the users to improve their experience while also saving time. It offers the opportunity for providers to build a closer relationship with users, which is likely to precipitate a longer relationship. All of this equates to more visitors, greater visitor loyalty and a better bottom line.

The best bit is that it is not hard to do. All you need is some asynchronous JavaScript + XML (Ajax). “An Ajax application eliminates the start-stop-start-stop nature of interaction on the web by introducing an intermediary between the user and the server,” says Jess James Garrett of Adaptive Path. The Ajax engine allows the user’s interaction with the application to happen asynchronously — independent of communication with your dedicated server. So Ajax offers the flexibility for the end user to customise their experience.

So there is nothing holding you back. Get closer to your visitors by offering home page personalising.

Tags: e-commerce, internet, marketing
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Windows v Linux

Jonathan Bowers, August 20th 2008, 5:19PM

In the hosting industry we’re seeing an increase in the number of businesses opting for Linux-based servers. If you’re looking to host a quality website you’ll be looking for the most stable technology on which to build your online presence. So, how do Windows and Linux platforms differ and which offers you the best service?

Linux’s obvious bonus is in the cost. With open source software there are no licensing fees. Linux is also renowned for its stability and for its diversity. Every “flavour” or “distro” offers strengths in different areas, so users are able to choose one to put to a specific purpose. However, some people see the amount of Linux flavours as counterproductive as they dilute the open source market and put off new users.

Linux applications are modifiable to suit your needs and with online open source forums help is readily available. Because Linux can be modified, less space is taken up with pre-installed, often-unnecessary control panels and applications.

So why has Windows long been the more popular choice? The obvious reason for this is its immediately recognisable branding. Microsoft is known the world over.

Knowledge of Windows’ easily navigable control panel is transferable throughout every application so systems are user-friendly. Every Linux desktop can be tailored to look and act differently which may be confusing. However, more experienced Linux users tend to find this a positive.

With regards to security the vast majority of spyware and viruses affect Windows systems. Windows users should be vigilant and use preventative patches, firewalls and updates to keep their servers safe.

Both systems have their pros and cons. Linux is the safer, more secure, cheaper option - which is the reason for its current growth whilst Windows is more user-friendly but it is expensive.

With regards to business servers, if you’re investing in a managed option, you won’t have to deal with scary Linux control panels anyway. Nor will you have to deal with extra Windows security issues.

When you sign up for a solution make sure you discuss your needs thoroughly with an expert advisor – you may find you need a multi-faceted, cross platform clustered solution. Because every online business is different, every solution should be too.

Tags: linux, windows
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